It’s still patio season! We’ve had a blast at summer gatherings-- with fireflies glowing and cicadas humming. Now it’s time to enjoy fire pits and other hardscaping features that make patio life even more enjoyable. But how do you keep the non-living elements of your landscape looking their best? Even when you take excellent care of your hardscapes, weather, wear and tear, weeds and insects can take a toll. But don’t stress. Your outdoor spaces are meant to be enjoyed. Use them, have fun with … [Read more...]
What Should I Ask My Landscaper About Fall Landscaping?
Summer is winding down, and little by little, the leaves are letting go of their branches. All the growing and blooming, mowing, and weeding will soon slow and stop. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to turn away from your landscape. In fact, fall is one of the most productive and rewarding times to focus on landscape design. You can plan, prepare, prune and plant and work with your landscaper to help your plants survive the winter and make a glowing reappearance next spring. Another plus: your … [Read more...]
Aeration and Overseeding: What Are The Benefits?
With plenty of rain this summer, most of us are still in full-on mowing mode in July. But Dryer late-summer weather will be here before we know it. Hotter temps can lead to end-of-summer brown spots and bare patches in our lawns. After the booming growth period of midsummer, late summer/early fall is a perfect time to focus on enriching our properties through aeration and overseeding. These tried-and-true techniques help us keep our lawns healthy and beautiful and lay the groundwork for a robust … [Read more...]
Seasonal Color and the Magic of Planters
Does anyone else have the feeling winter isn’t done with us yet? We know the groundhog saw his shadow. But as always, landscapers are optimistically looking ahead. We’ve got spring on our minds, with so many stunning annuals. Plus, we are introducing planter design services. If you haven’t considered planters, let’s talk. They’re like art for your yard and create a stellar dramatic effect. Planters provide the perfect showcase for a seasonal color program that allows you to change annuals … [Read more...]
The Benefits of a Healthy Landscape
Is your new year’s resolution a lush, attractive landscape? Are you craving a welcoming yard that you never want to leave this spring and summer? Looks are a huge part of what we’re going for when we think about our outdoor spaces. But let’s look below the surface. Healthy soil, grass, and plants are at the heart of a gorgeous landscape. Focusing on a healthy landscape pays with curb appeal and is better for the environment and your family’s well-being. How Can I Promote A Healthy Landscape? A … [Read more...]
Bring Light Into The Dark of Winter
We’re all spending more time outside these days. So making our landscapes comfortable and user-friendly in winter is a priority. Exterior lighting plays an exciting role in making your landscape accessible and enjoyable on those dark winter nights. Outdoor lights brighten and enhance the short days of winter--but you’ll love them all year long. How Can Exterior Lights Enhance My Landscape? With excellent installation, outdoor lighting adds plenty of charm and curb appeal to your home and … [Read more...]
Should I Consider A Hardscape Project in Winter?
Fall is here, and lawnmowers are falling silent all over Northern Virginia. Late fall and winter are usually quiet times for lawn and garden care. It’s also one of the best times to plan and execute hardscaping projects. Your family is using your yard less frequently, so the work won’t be disruptive. Landscapers may not be as busy, so it can often be done more quickly. And you’ll be sitting pretty by the time spring rolls around. What Is Hardscaping? Hardscaping covers the non-plant related … [Read more...]
What Does Winterizing Your Lawn Mean?
Ahhhh the autumn air. Leaves are falling, and mowers are making their final runs. Everything is quieting down. But below the surface, your lawn is taking advantage of the warm days and cool nights to regenerate and get ready for winter. You can help by winterizing your lawn and garden. But what exactly does winterizing mean, and what are the benefits? In a nutshell, winterizing your lawn means using the fall cooling period to prep your property, equipment, and plants for winter. What Can I Do … [Read more...]
How Do I Plant a Tree?
There’s nothing more rewarding than planting a tree. When we choose and plant a new tree, we know we’re doing something wonderful for our world. We’re making our environment a little more beautiful. By planting a young tree, we’re planning for the future. We look forward to watching them grow over the years. But trees are a significant investment. If you plant them wrong or don’t follow up appropriately, young trees may die. So it’s essential to do it right. How Can I Choose the Right … [Read more...]
How Can I Keep Weeds From Growing in Mulch?
Applying mulch every spring makes sense on several levels. It helps enrich the soil and helps retain moisture during the dry summer months. But the main reason most of us mulch is weed control. We faithfully lay down a couple of inches of mulch and cross our fingers that we’ve won the battle. But most of us aren’t so lucky: weeds almost always find a way to pop up, even in the most beautifully mulched landscaping. Why are weeds so hard to tame, and what can you do to stop them? Here are a few … [Read more...]
